YLF News
Hillsborough County High School Student Wins Statewide Award
The Able Trust’s Youth Program Participant Recognized for his Outstanding Leadership by the State of Florida
The Able Trust youth program participant, William “Drew” Davis, recently received the prestigious “Outstanding High School Student Award” for the State of Florida by The Florida Federation Division on Career Development and Transition (FFDCDT). The award was presented to Drew at the statewide Visions Conference in Kissimmee in February, where he received a $500 scholarship in addition to the award.
A senior at Newsome High School, Drew was nominated for the “Outstanding High School Student Award” for his demonstrated resolve, courage and determination to overcome his disabilities and to be successful in school and in the community. Drew was born with Goldenhar Syndrome and has faced more medical challenges in his 18 years than others may ever experience in a lifetime.
Drew was born with a cleft lip and palette, and is deaf in one ear. He has undergone 44 surgeries. In 2005 he underwent 30 hours of surgery to correct his jaw. Last year he had nose surgery and was quickly is up and active again. His mom says he’s a fighter, a survivor. “It’s amazing how quickly he bounces back,” said Sandy Davis.
These challenges, however, have not stopped Drew from pursuing his dreams and having incredible enthusiasm and a tremendous spirit while doing so. Drew is a member of The Able Trust’s Florida High School/High Tech (HS/HT) program at Newsome High School, a statewide career development program that helps more than 1,100 students with disabilities pursue college and careers in the science and technology industry. He puts the skills he learns through HS/HT to work each day, serving on the school’s TV production team and announcing for their morning show. He is also a community leader, serving on his local church’s Technology Team and volunteering with the church youth group as well as local charity efforts such as the American Cancer Society’s “Relay for Life” .
For the past two years Drew has also been selected to participate in The Able Trust’s Florida Youth Leadership Forum, first as a delegate in 2006 and last year to return as a Junior Staff volunteer. As a result of his involvement The Able Trust’s youth programs, Drew has received several invitations to speak to local and statewide organizations about his leadership and self-advocacy skills, as well as his future career plans.
“I was really excited about receiving this award,” said Drew. “I could not have gotten where I am today without my family, friends, teachers, and the many doctors who have taken care of me over the years. I thank God everyday that I am alive, because my parents were told 3 months before I was born that I would not make it to delivery, and if I did, would not live but a few hours....and this past December I turned 19!”
Drew wants to study television production for two years at a community college and go on to a university, or into a medically-related field. His vision for the future is wide-open right now, and he will see where it takes him.
“Despite my disability, I’m able to do everything I want to in life,” Drew says. His mom, Sandy, interjects, “He has made such an impact on our whole family – I don’t think anything can hold him back now.”
The Florida Federation Division on Career Development and Transition (FFDCDT) annually awards an outstanding high school senior with disabilities who will be graduating and entering into postsecondary education or training, the military, or a job and who will benefit from his award. This person must exemplify the values of tenacity, caring, and a belief in their ability to succeed and show involvement beyond the usual circle of a student’s life. FFDCDT is a statewide association organized to promote career development of individuals with exceptionalities in order to bring about effective programs of career awareness, career exploration, career preparation, and transition from school to work and community living for these individuals from early childhood through adulthood and to encourage and promote professional growth, research, legislation, and dissemination of information among Florida individuals and organizations concerned with and involved in career development and transition of people with exceptionalities.
Sponsors
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Sponsored by United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities and the Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, Inc. |
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